Improvement in the manufacture of iron and steel and furnaces therefor



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Manufacture of Iron and Steel and Furnaces Therefor.

N. I49 242 Patented March 31,1874.

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1 E. PECKHAM. Manufacture of Iron and Steel and Furnaces Therefor. N0.149,242. PatentedMarch31,1874.

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Manufacture of Iron and Steel and Furnaces Therefor.

N ]4g 242 Patented March 31,1874.

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EDGAR PECKHAM, or ANrWnnr, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL AND FURNACES THEREFOR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,242, dated March 31, 1874; application filed March 9, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR PEGKHAM, of Antwerp, Jefferson county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron and Steel, and in Furnaces to be used therein, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates, principally, to the treatment of ores in a converting-furnace preliminary to their after-working in a forge-fire, puddling or other reducing furnace or apparatus, for conversion into iron or steel direct from the ore. My present improvements are based upon a process involving the preliminary treatment of the ore in airtight, or practically air-tight, retorts at different temperatures, whereby the ore is first deprived of its water, and, as it were, slaked, then deoxidized, and then carbonized, each of these several steps requiring a difi'erent temperature, beginning at the lowest temperature for the first stage, and then working up to successively higher temperatures in the succeeding stages. In another pending application I have described one way of doing this by successively heating the whole of each retort at the requisite different temperatures. In the present case I accomplish the same result by dividing each retort into different zones orbe-lts, whereby the ore contained in one retort may be subjected to diiferent,-but exactly determined, heats, ac cording to the zone in which it is situated, all the ore passing through these several zones, and being subjected successively to the predetermined and ascertained heats, which are imparted to said zones severally. A g

The nature of my improvements, and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, can best be explained and understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section 011 the line 1 2, Fig. 4, for'the converting-furnace, and the line 3 4, same figure, for the puddlingfurnace. Fig. 2 is a like section on line 5 b, Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a like section on line 7 8, Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a plan of the apparatus, with the top of the converting-furnace removed. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section on line 9 10, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 represents the charger for fillor dampers S in g'the retorts with coal and ore in proper proportions.

A A represent the main walls of the coin verting-furnace, which may be constructed of brick or stone; P l the horizontal main partition-walls, which, in this furnace, are constructed of fire-brick having tongues on their upper and grooves in their lower sides to cor respond with the tongues. They also have grooves in their sides, corresponding with the thickness of the tiles used for the cross-walls separating the retorts, constituting vertical guides or grooves, into which the said tiles 1 are fitted, as indicated in Fig. 4. B B B are perpendicular retorts for treating the ore, which are divided, by means of the external horizontal heating-fines O, 0 and 0 into sections or zones B B and B The horizontal fiues O, on each side of the retorts B B, correspond with the sections or zones 13 B. O 0 0 correspond with the sections or zones B B 0 O (1 correspond with the sections or zones B B". The first or upper sections or zones B of the retorts are designed as zones of preparation and desulphurization, in which the ore is treated at a very low heat, (a very dark cherry-red,) to remove its water and sulphur and open its pores preparatory to its passing to the next lower zones, B When treating ores containing sulphur they (sections B) are constructed with ainopenin gs S S at their bottoms, having pipes or tubes leading to the outside of the furnaces, through which cold air may be admitted as desired. In connection with the airpassages S, I employ on top of the retorts small chimneys 8, having regulating valves By the means described a sufficient quantity of cold air can be drawn into zones 13 to create an oxidizing atmosphere therein when treating ores containing sulphur. The second or middle sections or zones 13 of the retorts are designed for reduction, where the ore, after having been treated in zones B B is precipitated, and there treated at a full cherry-red heat a sufficient time to eliminate the oxygen contained in it preparatory to its passing to the next lower zones B The lastnamed lower sections or zones of the retorts are designed for carbonization, where the ore passing from the zones B B is treated at a or dampers I I.

bright cherry-red-a sufficient time to carbonize it to the desired extent. The horizontal flnes G, G, and G communicate with the gas or distributing heat'supply chamber G, and also with the main stacks or chimneys L, L, and L; and I), b, and b are dampers to regulate th e draft and heat in said fines, and by which the heat in each flue m ay be exactly regulated independently of the others. a and a are openings havin g dampers b b, connecting said flues 0, C and O with each other, by means of which the heat, instead of passing directly to the main stacks, may be made to pass into fiues (3 O to fines C G and O O, and from thence to the stack L, traversing in its passage the length of the flues C C and (J. In this manner the heat may be economized. F and F are horizontal fines or chambers situated between the receivin g-chambers E E and the transfer-chambers E E and connected with the distributing gas-chamber G and the stack L, and serve the double purpose of conveying direct to the main stack any and all surplus heat not required to heat the retorts B B B, and also to heat the transfer-chambers E E and the receivingchambers E E. E E are transfer or discharging chambers situated underneath the retorts B B and over the main receiving-chambers E and E, being separated from the retorts B B by the slides or dampers I I, and from the receiving-chambers E and E by the slides They are used for trans ferring the prepared ore from the retorts B B to the main receiving-chambers E E. By their use the same amount of prepared ore can be removed from the retorts at each operation, which is essential to a uniform treatment of all the ore. Each retort has one of these transfer-chambers, into which the ore, when properly treated, is firsttransferred, and from thence to the main receiving-chambers E and E underneath. The capacity of each transfer-chamber should be the same as the last section or zone of the retort. E E are main air-tight horizontal receivin g-chambers, situated underneath the discharging or transfer chambers E E into. which the prepared ore is transferred or discharged from the said chambers E E and there retained until required by the forgefire' or puddling-furnace attached thereto. \Vhen the forge-f1re is used to manipulate the prepared ore into iron or steel, this main receiving-chamber is constructed with a depression in one end, into which the prepared ore is collected and retained for the use of the forge-fire. It has an opening at the lowest part of the depression,connecting it with, and through which the prepared ore is transferred, as required, to the forge fire. \Vhen the puddling-furnace is used to manipulate the prepared ore into iron and steel, this main receiving chamber is constructed as shown in Figs. 1,2, and 5, having a depression in the center, with its sides sloping into the depression, into which the prepared ore is collected and retained for the use of the puddlingfurnace. At the lowest part of this depression is an opening, connecting the receivingchamber with an air-tight inclined passage, 1), through which the prepared ore is transferred, as required, direct to the iuitlclling-furnace R. I) and b are valves or dampers in said inclined passages D, which serve to regulate the flow of prepared ore from the receiving-chambers to the puddling-furnaces, and to close the openings leading into said passages when not transferring ore. The waste heat from the puddling-furnaces is conveyed to the gas-distributing chamber Gr in any suitable way. T is an independent fire-place, connected with said converting-furnace A A by the opening t, having the damper d. Said fire-place may be used when it is desired to keep up the heat in the converting-furnace, while one or both of the puddling-furnaces are not in operation.

In case a forge-fire in lieu of a puddling-furnace is to be combined with the convertingfurnace, the forge-fire, or two or more of them, as required, can be arranged at the front of the converting-furnace, where the fire-place T is represented, and in that case the receivingchambers will be properly shaped and located, so as to communicate with said fires, the arrangement being similar to that shown in another pending application of mine for Letters Patent. H and H are chambers situated underneath the receiving-chambers E and E, and serve to heat said receiving chambers. They are connected with the flue F, from which they receive their heat. M, M M M and M are doors, corresponding with and leading into lines 0, G 0 F, and F, and through which any and all ashes or emery collecting in said flues may be removed.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have indicated at K the charging apparatus which I use in order to charge the retorts with alternate vertical layers of coal and ore. This apparatus, however, I do not here particularly describe, as I have made it the subject in part of another application for Letters Patent.

The retorts of the converting-furnace being properly constructed and divided by external lines into zones corresponding with the character of the ore to be employed and quality of metal desired, as previously described, the operation of treating the ore and manufacturing the same into iron or steel is conducted in the following manner, viz: The ore to be used should be separated from all earthy matter and reduced to a uniform size, (or as near as may be,)' the size to depend upon the character of the ore. If the ore is of a soft nature-a hematite orethe particles may be as large as chestnuts, but if the ore is a hard magnetic ore it should be reduced to about the size of coarse shot. The retorts B B B being empty, (presuming this to be the first operation of the furnace,) they are filled to the extent of the two lower zones, B and B with coal. The remainder of the retort, which consists of the top section Bl, is then charged,

by means of charger K, with alternate vertical layers of coal and ore, after which the charger is withdrawn and the retort closed. The remaining retorts should be charged with ore and coal in the same manner. The retorts B B B being full, and the upper sections or zones B B B being charged with alternate layers of ore and coal, fire should be made in the tirepl ace or furnace attached to the converting-furnace, and the dampers Z) I) b to the fines O O G on each side of the retorts, and corresponding with the zones of preparation B B opened sufiicient to heat the said horizontal fines G O O to a dark cherry red, which is the temperature that should be constantly and uniformly maintained in the said fines O O 0. When the ore has been treated in the zones 13 B B a sufficient time to remove its water and sulphur (cold air being introduced into these zones to remove sulphur, as previously described) and open its pores, it is precipitated to the next lower sections or zones B B B by opening or withdrawing the dampers I I I at the bottom of the retorts, and allowing the coal to fall intothe transfer-chambers E E hen the transfer-chambers E E are filled, the dampers I I should be closed and fresh charges of coal and ore again charged into the retorts. This being done, the dampers I) b b to the fines C 0 0 corresponding with the zones of reduction B B should be opened sufficiently to heat the flues to a full cherry-red heat, which is the temperature that should be constantly anduniformly maintained in the said horizontal lines 0 O 0 When the ore has been treated in zones l3 13 a snfiicient time to remove its oxygen, the coal in the transfer-chambers E It should be transferred to the main receiving- .chambers E and E by withdrawing the dampers I I at the bottom of said transfer -chambers. This being done, the dampers I I should again be closed,-and the dampers I I, separating the chambers from the retorts opened, and the coal in the retorts allowed to fill the transfer-chambers E E when the dampers I I should again be closed and a fresh charge of ore and coal'charged into the retorts. This being done, the dampers b b b to the horizontal fines O 0 0 corresponding with the zones of earboniz'ation B B should be opened sufficiently to raise the heat in the fines C O C to a bright cherry-red, which is the temperature that should be constantly maintained in the fines G 0 0 hen the ore has been treated in the sections or zones of carbonization B B a sufficient time to carbonize it to the desired extent it should be transferred to the transfer-chambers E E in the manner previously described, and the dampers I I closed and a fresh charge of ore charged into the retorts. This being done, the prepared ore in the transfer chambers E E should be precipitated to the main receiving-chambers E and E, ready to be transferred to the forge-fire or piuldlingfurnace as required, and so on, the ore being charged into the retorts and precipitated from zone to zone, and from retorts to the receiving-chambers, in the man ner described. The temperature of the fines O, O, and O can be determined by the small doors N, N, and N placed in the side of said fines 5 or a heat-gage, if desired, may be placed in each fiue. The retorts should be emptied and recharged alternately, so as to make the operation a continuous one, and to keep constantly on hand in the receivingchambers E E a supply of prepared ore for the reducingfire or furnace attached thereto. The prepared ore is transferred from the main receiving-chambers E and E to the forge-fire or puddliug furnace or furnaces attached thereto, as required, and these manipulated into iron or steel, the quantity of the metal produced depending upon the length of time the ore was under treatment in the retorts, and the percentage of carbon mixed therewith. hen manipulating the prepared ore in the forge -iire or puddling-furnace, it should preferably be fiuxed and purified according to my improved method of purifying iron or steel during its manufacture in the forge fire or puddling-furnaee, patented October 14, 1873, No. 143,637.

When it is desired to economize the heat, the openings leading from the fines G andG into the stack or chimney may be closed by the dampers b and b and the openings to and a leading from gas chamber G into fines O and (1, closed by suitable dampers provided for the purpose, and the openings a and a connecting fines 0 G, and 0, opened, and the heat or flame made to pass from'chamber G through openings a to flue O and from flue 0 through openings a to fines (l and from fines 0 through openings a to fiues G, and from thence to the stack or chimney. Thus the whole length of the fines 0 C and O, or a portion of the heat, may be made to pass diroot to the stack, and the remainder through all the fines, as described.

It is not desirable to use, in general, the last above arrangement, which is simply'provided in case it becomes absolutely necessary to so economize the heat. I much prefer, and shall in practice use, the arrangement of independent heat-fines, the heat of each of which can be regulated independently and irrespective of the others.

The moy'ement of the ore through the re torts is dependent upon the length of time it remains in the zone of carbonization and, lik ewise, the dimensions of the upper two zones are dependent upon the .dimensions of the lower zone, inasmuch as their capacity should, in order to insure uniformity, be either the same as or a multiple of'that of the lower zone.

If it should be desired for any purpose to heat the ore only to the extent of deoxidation, then the lower zone may be heated only to the deoxidizing temperature, while the upper zone or zones may be simply zones of preparation. If bituminous or anthracite coal be employed as fuel, I use the piuldling-furnace in connection with my converting apparatus; if charcoal or coke be the fuel, I use with the convertin g apparatus one or more forge-fires.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The mode herein described of treating iron ore in upright retorts divided into zones of different but uniformly-maintained heats, through which the ore descends, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The introduction, substantially in the manner and by the means described, into the upper zone of the retort or retorts, of external air, in order to produce therein an oxidizing draft or atmosphere when needed for desulphurization of the ore, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in a converting-furnace for treating ore, of one or more upright retorts and horizontal independent heating-fines, dividing said retort or retorts into zones or belts, in each of which the heat may be regulated and kept at the required degree, irrespective of and without interference with the others,

substantially as shown and set forth.

4. The combination, with the upright retorts and external flues dividing said retorts into zones or belts, as specified, of transfer-chambers, one for each retort, located below their respective retorts, and communicating with the same through openings closed by slides or dampers, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination, with the upright retorts, external flues dividing the same into zones or belts, and transfer-chambers, of main receiving-chambers, one for each set of transferchambers, located below said transfer-chambers, and adapted to be thrown into communication with the same at proper times, substantially as described.

6. The combination of the main gas-chamber, the rctorts, transfer and receiving chambers, and system of flues for heating said retorts and chambers, and conveying the heat to the chimney or chimneys, the said fines being provided with regulating -dampers, and

the said gas-chamber receiving the heat from a forge-fire, independent fire, puddlin g or other reducing furnace, substantially as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto signed my name this 9th day of March, A. D. 187

EDGAR PEOKHAM.

\Vitnesses EwELL DICK, W. BAILEY. 

